Stabilizing device



March 25, 1947. A. G. LARSON 2,418,037

STABILIZING DEVICE Filed Feb. 28, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l g E m E g M .5 Wr @Vw Om M q :3 mm E @Q i m w m @Qq b I @Q Q mEAT m E .m m QT 3 9 Q HEW t Q3 5 E; m 3: 0Q g Q E s w mm a ow & @N 3 8 QJ m 3 3 Q 0 m w: 0 O pm $7 mm mm m 0 m P Q R 1} Fu 9 m o 9 n II I I ow MWH 1H 9 E I l I l I l II 9 w Wm AN. 6 mm mm. NQ Q 8 N Q mp mm w mp @m a h) finwnm v Bu DH 1| i S E 3 Q H a S Q 8 E 0m Nb ..I 00 E E K N 3 No m 0 Q Q L F T W h 0w 8 8 no 8 ma mm m M g 3 E No mm 3 W PH A TTORNE Y March 25, 1947.

A. G. LARSON 2,418,037

STABILIZING DEVICE Filed Feb. 28, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 1' .4 I r 121 9 no 4 12o 102 I 94 92 I 7o 69 KIM/1A 105 no 86 11? 9o 61 8 61 125 a? 90 as '121 A T7 ORNE Y Patented Mar. 25, 1947 STABILIZING DEVICE Arthur G. Larson, Forest Hills, Pa., as'signor to The Westinghouse Air Brake Company, Wilmerding, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Original application March 30, 1944, Serial No. 528,691. Divided and this application February 28, 1945, Serial No. 580,223

4 Claims.

This invention relates to stabilizers for control apparatus and more particularly to means for preventing unwanted movement of an operating or operated member, the present application being a division of my copending application, Serial No. 528,691, filed March 30, 1944.

In my copending application serial No. 470,803, filed December 31, 1942, there is disclosed a fluid motor of the so-called follow-up type embodying a power piston and a regulating valve device for establishing difierentials in fluid pressures on said piston for moving same, and for destroying said diiierentials to stop movement of the piston. Pilot means in the form of a piston is arranged to actuate the regulating valve device to create the differentials in fluid pressures on the powerpiston, while the power piston is arranged to actuate the regulating device to destroy the differentials in fluid pressures upon the power piston attaining a position corresponding to operation of the pilot means.

In fluid motors of thisgeneral type it isdesirable that the power piston promptly move to and stop in a position determined by operation of the pilot means. However, in case the resistance to movement of the device operated by the power piston is variable, such for instance as to require a greater difierential in pressures on the piston to move it during a portion of its stroke than may exist near the position in which it is desired that the power piston will stop, the difierential in pressures acting on the piston, aided by inertia of said piston and possibly of the parts being operated, will tend to cause the power piston to over travel and consequently move the device being operated past the position in which it 'is desired that it be stopped. If the power piston shouldthus over travel-it will operate the regulating device to reverse the differential in' fluid pressures on the power piston and thus cause said piston to reverse its direction of movement'. The reversal of the power piston may then result inover travel in the opposite direction, and consequently another reversal in the direction of movement of the power piston may result. Such oscillation of the power piston is undesirable particularly where it is desired to position a device with a relatively high degree of accuracy. One object of the invention is therefore the provision of means arranged to obviate the above difficulty. I

Another object of the invention is the provision ofa stabilizer for a reciprocatory piston or the like so constructed and arranged as to allow relativelyiree movement of 'the piston from one position substantially to another'or selected position, and which is effective upon the piston attaining the selective position to stop said piston and substantially lock same against movement out of the selected position.

I attain these objects by the use of a novel hydraulic dash-pot or stabilizer the piston means of which is connected to move with the power piston.- The stabilizer piston means is opposedly subject to liquid in two chambers which are in constant communication through a small port, and by-pass valve is provided to open and close a relatively large communication between said chambers. This by-pass valve is connected for movement with the pilot means and is so designed as to open the communication controlled thereby upon movement of the pilot means to effect operation of the regulating valve device to establish a differential in fluid pressures on the power piston, whereby the stabilizer piston means may move relatively freely with the power. piston as the latter moves toward a selected position. Upon cessation of movement of the pilot means, the continuingmovement of the power piston will then actuate the by-pass valve to close the communication controlled thereby; the by-pass valve efi'ecting closure of said communication just beiore the power piston attains the selected position.

It will be apparent that if closure of the com liquid still possible from one of the chambers to the other will arrest movement of the power piston without undue shock. Further movement of the power piston to its selected position will then be so retarded as to insure operation of the regulating valve device to substantially equalize the opposing fluid pressures on the power piston by r the time the power piston attains its selected position. The difierential in pressures thus beingdestroyed on' the power piston when it attains the' selected position and further movement being opposed by the dash-Dot or stabilizer, said power piston will stop moving andthe stabilizer will then hold it against unwanted movement out of the selected position.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followlngmore detailed description of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings; Fig. 1 is a side view, partly in section, of a fluid motor of the follow-up type and of the stabilizer embodying the invention; Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views taken substantially 'on the lines 22 and 3-3 in Fig. 1; Figs. 4. to '7 are sectional views taken on the lines 45, 55, 6-6, and 1-7, respectively, in Fig. 3; Fig. 8 is a sectionalview taken substantially on the line 8-3 in Fig. 1; and Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a pressure regulating valve device associated with the, motor shown in- Fig. 1 and taken in a plane parallel to but back of the plane of the section in Fig; 1-.

Description In the drawings, the reference numeral I in: dicates a fluid motor which for the purpose of illustrating one use of the invention, may be substantially like that disclosed in the aforementioned pending application, inview of which thefollowingdescriptionof the motor will be limited'to only those details necessary to a full and complete understandingof the invention.

The fluid motor I is secured to a mounting plate- 2 and comprises a cylinder containing a powerpiston having at one side a pressure chamber 3. The piston iihas a'rocl 5 projecting" there'f-rom'througha pressure chamber 6 atthe opposite side and a suitable'openingin apressure head l closingthe open endof said cham ber'; The-outer endof the rod 5 is connected by plunger has a seat for engagement by the respective release valve which is thus arranged to control; communication between said chamber and bore I31. Each plunger I9 extends beyond the exterior of the casing and is provided with 1 one or more radial bores I39 connecting the respective bore it? to atmosphere. Further each plunger" Isis .provided'gin the release valve chambenidiiwitha collar Mil encircling the release va-lve'seat; while a similar collar I is provided ontheiend of member I36 engaging the supply valve stem I32, and interposed between and bearing against these collars in each valve device is a precompressedisp fing M3 acting td urge the plunger l inagdirection out oi'seating engage,- ment with the release valve I35. The casing is,

provided with an annul'ar groove encircling and open to theperipherali surface of each plunger, IS and inthis groove is disposed a resilient ring Hi4 providing sealingycontact between the casing andsaid plunger for preventing leakage of fluid under pressure from the release valve chamber i33 past said plunger to atmosphere;

Thesupply valve chamber. i'ajl. is, commonto.

both'regulating valve, devices I.'I. and I8 and is, adapted to beconstantly supplied withfluid under pressure from anysuitablesource by way of pipe. I45 and a passage-Hi5. The releasevalve chamber I33 in -the, regulating valve, device I! is. in constant communication withthe power piston chamber 5 through a passage I4'I', while the.

,, corresponding chamber in the regulatinggvalve sprocket wheel'i' l are mounted for-rotation in.

unison on a pin I5 carried'by the mounting plate 25' The sprocket Wheel I imay be connected by a chain (not shown) to a device which it is desired'to operate or move to different selected positions; It will'be apparent that movement of piston t in one direction'in its cylinder will" turnwthe sprocket wheel" it" in one direction, while movement of saifdpistondn the opposite directioninsaid cylinder Swill turn said sprocket" wheel lnthe opposite direction; By selecting the direction and limiting the extent or movement oi-the power piston l" selective positioning of the sprocketwheel It andof'the device operated thereby may therefore be obtained:

'Associatedwith the pressure head 'iis a fluid pressure regulating valve device It comprising pressure control valve devices I! and I8 for controlling the supply and release of fluid under Each of the regulating valve devices I? and i8 turn with said shaft.

device I8 is in constant communication: with the power piston. chamber- 3=. through; a passage I48 passing back of..the release valve; chamber I33 in the regulating valve device i'i and-con nected to passage IE9 which extends through thepower cylinder and opens. to chamber 3 at the outer. end thereof. I

In each oitheregulating valve devices Iii'and I8, the, supply valve I30, release valve I and plunger. I 9. are arranged; in coaxial relation. and

theseparts; in the two valve devices are spaced apart and arranged in .parallel relation.

A shaft 28, arranged midwaybetweenthe; two plungers. It. is]. journaled -adjacent its; opposite ends in spaced brackets; 2!. extending from. the

pressurehead 7; Between; the brackets 21 a sleeve-,likemember 22 mounted onshaft-2B, and as, best shown in Fig. 2-, is securedby a pin 23 to,

oppositely. extendingv arms 24, one. disposed over eachof the plungers I9, Inthe endoi each armjfi. is secured an adjusting screw 2 5 g for engaging'therespective plunger It. For operation of the structure the two adjustingscrews 25 are described.

With .thelsupply valve regulating valve devicesI-l and! supplied with fluid under pressurefrom pipe" I through pasadjusted, in. the manner. which willnow. be

sage,l. i5,,and with thetwo arms 24 of member 22 extending parallel to the axis of the power piston rod 5, the two screwsg25 are-turned into engagement; with: the ends of the respective} plungers It and then further operated to' move said plun hrs intol seating engagement with the:- re

spective" release valves I35. The screws 25 are The member 22= has two chamber I3 I: the two adapts chamber'I3I to the release valve chambers I33 andthencethrough passage I4! to chamber 6- at one side of thepower piston 4, and at the same time through passages I48 and I49 to chamer at the opposite side of the power piston 4'.

, The adjustment of both screws 25'm'ay be such asto unseat the supply valves I35 to such an extent as to allow pressure of fluid supplied to thesupply valve chambers I 3| to equalize into chambers 3 and B at opposite sides of the power piston, or in other words, the adjustment may be such as to'maintain the supply valves open. How ever it is preferred that bothof the supply valves 39 be'unseated to a lesser degree such that when a certain pressure, intermediate that of the atme ohere and that supplied thr'oughpipe I45, is

ob ined on the opposite sides of the power piston, such pressure acting in chambers I33 on the ends of the respective plungers I9 will urge said plungers outwardly sufficiently to allow the two supply valves I33 'to seat. With this latter adjustment the supply valves I33 will initially be unseated by screws 25 a very small degree, such for example as one one-thousandth of an inch, under which condition it has been found that both of the supply'valves I30 will seat upon-obtraining the desired intermediate degree of pressure on opposite sides of the power piston 4.

Whether the-adjusting screws 25 are adjusted to hold the supply valves I30 open to permit full supply pressure to be obtained from pipe I45 on opposite sides of the powerIpiston or whether they are adjusted to allow closure of the supply valves upon obtaining the intermediate degree of pressure on opposite sides of the power piston, it will be apparent that substantially the same pressure of fluid will be effective in both pressure chambers 3 and on opposite sides of the power piston 4.

The area of piston 4 subject to pressure of fluid in chamber 6 is less than the area subject to pressure of fluid in chamber 3 by an amount equal to the area of the piston rod 5, and it will therefore be seen that when the pressures of fluid acting on opposite sides of said piston are the same, there will be a slight differential in the opposing forces created on said piston which will tend to move said piston toward the left hand. This differential in forces is less however than the static resistance to movement of the piston and of other parts of the structure which said piston is adapted to move. It will therefore be seen that when the pressures of fluid in chambers 3 and 3 are substantially the same, the piston 4 will be in a static or stationary condition.

With the parts conditioned as just described, it will be noted that a slight degree of rocking of member 22 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 9,. will permit operation of the valve device It to release fluid under pressure from the power iston chamber 3 and at the same time will actuate the valve device I! to increase the pressure of fluid in chamber 5, in case it is not already equal to that in the supply valve I45, for th reby creating a differential in pressures of fluid on the power piston which is efiective to move said piston in the direction of the right hand. Rocking of member 22 in a counter-clockwise direction will create an oppositely effective dififerential in fluid pressures on the power piston to move it toward the left hand. Return of member 22 to its normal position will destroy a differentialin fluid pressures on' the power piston'to cause cessation ofmovement of said piston, as

will be appairer'it. It will thus be'seen that by.

suitable manipulation of member 22, thepower piston 4-can becaused' toturri the sprocket wheel l4fin' either direction and stop it in any desired positionat either side of'and'includingits normal position, in which it is shown in the drawing;

Associated withtheend'of' the power cylinder 3 d l osite'the pressure head i is" a pilot device at. for controlling operation of tliemember 22 to provide" differentials in fluid pressures on the power piston 4'. 'I'he'pilot device comprises a casing structuresecuredto thepowercylinder and con taiiiing. two oppositely and axially arranged flexible diaphragr'n's 3| and 32 having at their respective outer faces pressure chambers 33 and 34' connected to control pipes 35 and 33, respectively. The pipes 35 and 36 may lead toany suitable control valve device (not shown) which is operableto" supply fluid at any selected pressure, from zero pressure to a maximum degreetoeither one of said pipeswhile maintaining the other pipe open to atmosphere;

The two diaphragms3l and 32 are connected together for movement in unison by means including a rod 31 and followers 33 and 39 respec tivelyengaging the adjacent faces of said diaphra'gms. The follower 38 is arranged to' engage a; shoulder 40 in the casing to limit deflection of thediaphragms in one direction; while a similar shoulder 4| is providedfor engagement by fol= lower 39 to limit deflection of the diaphragms in the opposite direction.

Intermediate thetwodiaphragms SI and 32, the rod 3'! is o erativiycc uecteu by a pin 42 to a lever 43 one end of whichis mounted to turn on a pin 44 secured in the casing" structure. The opposits end of ever 43 is connected to one end or" a rod '45 projecting from a resistance device 46 secured to the power cylinder 3. The resistance device 46 may contain spring means (not shown) arranged to oppose with increasing pressure, movement of lever 43 in either direction from a neutral position in which it is shown in the drawing, and said spring means is therefore constantly eifective to bias said lever toward its neutral position.

It will now be seen that upon supply of fluid through pipe 35 to diaphragm chamber 33 with diaphragm chamber 34 open to atmosphere through pipe 36, the diaphragm 3| will deflect and rock lever 43 in a clockwise direction to a position iii which the pressure of resistance means 46 balances the pressure of such fluid. An selected position of lever 43 at the right-hand side of neutral position may therefore be obtained by the provision of fluid at a suitable pressure in chamber 33. The extreme right-hand position of lever 43 will be obtained by providing fluid in chamber 33 at a pressure sufiicient to move the follower 38 into contact with shoulder 43. In a like manner the lever 43 may be moved to any selected position at the left-hand side of its neutral position by providing fluid at a suitable pressure in diaphragm chamber 34. Release of fluid pressure from either chamber 33 or 35, with the other chamber vented, will render the resistance means 46 effective to position the lever 4-3 in accordance with the reduction in such pressure, while a complete reduction in such pressure to that of the atmosphere will render the resistance device effective to move lever 43 to its neutral position, as will be apparent. v

The member 22 disposed between thefiiiid presequalizing lever 52 is pivotally connected to one 7 end of an operating rod 53 which extends through space provided between the resistance device 46 and the power. cylinder 3'and which has its opposite end pivotally connected by a pin 54 to lever 43 adjacent its connection with rod 45 projecting from the resistance device 46. The opposite end of the equalizing lever 52 is pivotally connected to one end of a rod 55 theopposite end of which is connected to a pin 56 secured in an arm 51 projecting from the gear sector I I. at the side of the sector fulcrum pin I2 opposite the connection between said sector and piston rod link 9.

The operation of the fluid motor above described is briefiy as follows:

Let it be assumed that the various parts of the structure are in the positions shown in Fig. 1 and that it is desired to turn the sprocketwheel l4 in a clockwise direction from the neutral position shown in the drawing to a different selected position, which requires movement of power piston 4 in the direction of the right-hand. To accomplish this, fluid at a selected pressure is supplied through pipe 35 to diaphragm chamber 33 which causes deflection of diaphragm 3| and thereby rocking of lever 43 in a clockwise direction to a position corresponding to the pressure of-such fluid, assuming such pressure to be less than required to deflect said diaphragm its full travel.

This movement of lever 43' actuates rod 53 to turn lever 52 in a counterclockwise direction about its fulcrum connection with rod 55 which at this time will be held stationary due to the relatively great reluctance to movement of the connected power piston 4. This rocking of lever 52 about its fulcrumed connection with rod 55 therefore rocks lever 55 and member 22 in a clockwise direction which actuates the fluid pressure regulating devices I! and [8 tocreate a differential in the pressures of fluid in chambers 3 and 5 which is efiective to move said piston in the direction of the right hand, and this movement in turn turns the sprocket wheel l4 out of its neutral position in the direction of the position which it is desired it shall attain.

The power piston 4 may start moving as just described before the diaphragm 3i attains its pressure determined position above mentioned, but after deflection of said diaphragm ceases, the rod 53 and the connected end of equalizing lever 52 become stationary. Continued movement of the power piston 6 relative to diaphragm 3 I, then acts through the medium of the gear sector H and rod 55 to rock the equalizing lever 52 in a counterclockwise direction about its connection with rod 53 and this moves thelever 5D and member 22 back toward their neutral positions. When the neutral position of member 22 is attained the valve devices I! and I8 will have operated to destroy the diiferential in fluid pressures on the power piston to cause it to cease moving for thereby stopping sprocket wheel [4 in the position corresponding to the pressure of fluid provided in diaphragm chamber 33, a

If it is desired to turn the sprocket wheel I4 further in the same direction to another selected position, the pressure of fluid is, increased in chamber at to a still higher degree, and the apparatus will again operate as just described to turn said wheel to the new selected position.

On the other hand, if it is desiredto turnthe and I8 has an upwardly.

sprocket wheel back toward, but to a selected pow sitionstillout ofneutral position, the pressure of fluid in diaphragm chamber 33 may be reduced to the. degree corresponding to the new. desired position of the sprocket wheel. This reduction in pressure of fluid in chamber 33 permits resistance device 46 to rock lever 43 in a counterclockwise direction and deflect diahragm 3| to v a position corresponding to the reduced pressure of fluid, and this movement of lever transmitted through rod 53 and equalizing lever 52 turns the lever 53 and member 22 in a counterclockwise direction which actuates th valve devices l1 and It to create a, differential in fluid pressures on the power piston 4 which acts to move said piston towardthe left-hand. After the diaphragm 3! obtains the position corresponding to the reduced pressure or fluid in chamber 33, the movement of the power piston then rocks lever 50 and member 22 in a clockwis direction back toward their neutral position. When the neutral position of member 22 is attained, the valve devices ii and I8 willagain haveoperated to destroy the differential in fluid pressures on the powerpiston 4 and said piston will cease movement in a position, it will be noted, corresponding to the position of control lever 43 and thus in accordance with the reduced pressure of fluid in diaphragm chamber 33.

A further reduction in the pressure of fluid in chamber 33 will caus the sprocket wheel I4 to assume a corresponding new positionback toward sired position at the left-hand side of its neutral position by providing fluid at the proper selected pressure in diaphragm chamber 34, in a manner which will be apparent from the above description and which therefore need not be described in greater detail.

. Forreasons before set forth there is, however, a possibility that piston 4 may not stop in a selectedposition as above described, but may ever travel the selected position, in which case its directionof movement may be reversed and result in over travel of said position in the opposite direction. Such over travel of the power piston would be undesirable and; in accordance with the invention, may be prevented by a dash-pot or stabilizer which will now be described.

In, the drawing the stabilizer is indicated generally by th reference numeral fill and, as shown, comprises a casing 6| secured by bolts or screws 32 to the mounting plate 2 in the space between the follow-up rod 55 and piston rod 5 and between the gear sector 1 l and equalizing lever 52,

The'casing G5 has two coaxially aligned oppositely extending openended bores 63 and 64 separated by a dividing wall 55 and arranged in substantial parallel relation to the piston rod 5, as viewed in Fig. 1 of the drawing. I A'piston B6 is disposed in bore Etan'd an oppositely arranged piston 61 is disposed in bore 54, the two pistons ll ment of the valve out of neutral position and to also maintain a relatively large degree of opening and thus a relatively low resistance to flow of liquid between the two pressure chambers, until the valve is returned substantially to its neutral position. 7

In operation, when fluid under pressure is supplied to deflect either diaphragm 3| or 32, the rocking of lever 43, equalizing lever 52 and lever 50 will also rock lever 91 and throu h rod 96 the operating arm 95 to turn the, valve 9| out of neutral position in either one direction or in the opposite direction. This turning of valve 9| opens communication between ressure chambers 69 and 10 by way of ports I99 and HI, cavities respective pressure chamber 69 or and into the other pressure chamber, so that the stabilizer pistons will not exert any undue force opposing movement of the power piston 4.

As the power piston 4 then continues to' move toward its selected position, it acts, through equalizing lever 52 and levers 5i) and 91, to turn .the plug 9| back toward its neutral position, and

the plug valve will attain its neutral position at the time the power piston attains the position in which it is intended to stop. Due to the shape of ports I99 and III in the bushing, relatively free flow of liquid from the one pressure chambefore" the valve attains its neutral position in which further flow of liquid will beprevented.

It will thus be seen that since the valve 9| al- .lows relatively free flow of liquid from one pres- 7 sure chamber 69 or Into the other until said valve is substantially turned to its neutral position, the power piston 4 will be able to move promptly and without undue resistance from the stabilizer substantially to its new or selected position. After the valve 9| is closed the liquid will howber to the other will however continue until just ever continue to flow from one pressure chamber to the other through the choke 85. The flow capacity of this choke is, however, such as to ofier relatively great resistance to the flow of oil from one pressure chamber to the'other, so that as soon asthe valve 9| is returned to substantially its neutral position, a relatively high oil pressure will develop on the stabilizer piston 66 or 61 which is displacing oil, to promptly snub the power piston 4, or, in other words, to oppose the actuating force on the power piston and decelerate the rate of movement thereof and thus absorb substantially all of its inertia and that of the connected parts. After the power piston is thus brought to a substantial stop continued movement will occur only at a rate determined by choke 85 and which will be suiiiciently slow to allow operation of the valve device or devices I! v or 8 to destroy the differential in pressures on the power piston by the time said piston moves into the position in which it is intended to stop, 4 so that accurate positioning of said piston. will occur, without over travel or possible oscillation.

It will be apparent that without the use of choke 85 the closing of the communication between chambers 69 and 19 by thevalve 9| would completely bottle up the liquid in both of said chambers which would cause sudden stopping of the stabilizer pistons and of the power piston 4 during movement of the piston 6| away from the 12 and this could result in damage to or breakage of the structure. The choke 85, however, avoids thedevelopment of damaging shocks, but at the same time creates a force for opposing movement of the power piston which reduces the rate of movement of said piston to a suiiicientl'y low degree to obtain accurate stopping thereof in the desired position. 1 r

It will be apparent that the stabilizer will operate in the manner just described upon each operation of the pilot device 36 and regardless of the direction or extent of desired movement of the power piston 4.

Adjacent the plug 92 the valve 9| is provided with two diametrically opposite cavities IZO for registration with ports Hit-and each cavity is connected by a groove |2| extending out past the end of the bushing to the oil reservoir 8?, whereby oil from said reservoir will be constantly pres ent in said cavities. Similar cavities I22 are provided in the valve adjacent the opposite end of the bushing for registration with ports H2, and each of these cavities is also connected to the oil reservoir 81 through a groove I23 provided in the valve and extending out past the end of the' 43 in the direction of the right-hand to effect 7 movement of the power piston in the same direction, will maintain the ports H6 closed by said valve, but at the opposite end of the Valve the cavities I22 will be moved into registry with the diametrically opposite ports H2 in the bushing so as to thereby open the oil reservoir 81 to the pressure chamber 10 into which oil is displaced V by the stabilizer piston 66 duringsuch operation.

Thus during movementof the power piston 4 toward the right hand, the pressure chamber 10 will not only receive the oildisplaced by piston 66 from chamber 69, but will also becapable of receiving oil from the oil reservoir 87 as the piston 61 is moved away'fro'm the dividing wall 65.

The purpose of this is to insure that chamber 10 will be maintained completelyfilled with oil dividing walls 65 so as to prevent a partial vacuum being created in said chamber which would tend to allow air from the atmosphere to creep past the packing cup 89 into said chamber. The

packing ring 8| is also provided as a further safe-guard against the entrance of air from the atmosphere to chamber Ill under this condition.

Now in casethe valve 9| is turned in a clockwise direction from neutral position, as would occur upon operation of the structure to effect movement of the power piston 4 inthe direction of the left-hand, said valve will maintainthe ports .I I2 in the bushing closedgwhile the ports H0 will be opened to cavities I26 in the valve and thus to the oil reservoir, so that as thestabilizer piston 6! actsto displace oil from pressure chamber 10 to chamber 69, oil will also be capable of flowing from the oil reservoirto the latter chamber in order to maintain it completely filled with oil and thus minimize the possibility. of air entering said chamber past the piston 66.' The sealing ring 12 is provided on piston 66 asan added safe-guard against the entrance of air to chamber 69.

'13 .It WillfIbBiTIl'OtGdfthfit' all oil displaced by either :ofxthe stabilizer pistons 65 or J51; depending upon the direction of their movement, is-ji'orced into the space created by movement of the otherwpistonaway from the dividing wall 85 and this amount of oil should theoretically-fill saidcspace, 'but in case it fails to dose, the creation of :a

partial vacuum in said space is prevented by opening said space to the oil reservoir which, :in. additionto the sealing ring slor l2,lensures .that air'will not enter either pressure chamber 89 or Ill.

In .fluid motors of the type above described 'thereis always apossibility ofleakage of fluid iunder pressure from the different pipes and chambers such as chambers 3 and E at opposite :sides'of the power piston 8. If for instance there should the leakage of fluidtunder pressure from "chamber 6 with the adjusting screws 25 adjusted to permit closure of the supply valvesl30 3, and when this differential becomes sufiicient Tthe JDiStOIl would start moving toward the left :hand. lhis movement would then actuatethe 'valve device ll to supply fluid under pressure to chamber Sandat the same time would allow operationof the valve device ltto release fluid under pressure fromrchamber 3 which would not only destroy the operating 'difierential but would also createan oppositely acting differential to move the ipowerpiston back to the selected position in which the opposing pressures would ';again be equalized. Continued leakage would thencause the piston toagain'movetoward the leftlharid slightly and then back to the selected position. In case the leakage were from chamber 3, the power piston would tend to move from the selected position toward the right hand and then back to its selected position.

This possible oscillatory movement of thepower piston due to leakage is relatively small. For example with a leverage multiplication of ten between the supply valves E30 and power piston, l and with the supply valves I39 adjusted to limit the pressure in pressure chambers 33 and 6 to an intermediate degree, approximately one thouever desirable that this oscillation of the power 'piston be opposed by high resistance to insure againstover travel as might tend to occurin case the device being controlled were to exert a force biasing the power piston out of a selected condition. In order to provide this high resistance, I maintain the liquid flow communication controlled by valve 9i closed during oscillation of the power piston incident to leakage of fluid under pressure, as just described, such closure being obtained preferably by making the peripheral portions ill of the valve 9! wider than the ports I09 and ill. Thus while the power piston may move in case of leakage of fluid under pressure sufiiciently to actuate the valve devices I! and I8 to cause said piston to move back to its selected position, the valve will maintain closed its liquid flow communication between chambers 69 and I0 and thus to dampen movement oi the,

power piston that it will not move further than with the arms as in their neutral positions, such leakage would cause avdifferential to develop be- :tween the pressures of fluid in chambers 8 and 1'1 and |81to :stop saidpiston and cause it to return to its selected position.

The :differencein width between the peripheral portions II! of the valve 9i and the ports .ment ofthe power piston to any selected posirtion. in response to a change in pressureion either pilotdiaphragm 31 or 32.

Sammmy From the above description it will nowbe seen that the improved hydraulic stabilizer is effectiveto insure stopping of a powerzmember, such as the power pistonr4, in a definite selected position without .damagingshock. The structure of. the stabilizer is such as to allow relatively free movement of the power piston substantially from one position to another or selected position in which it is desired that :shall stop. As the power piston substantially attains the selected position the stabilizer acts to provide a force for opposing further movement 'ofsaid piston and said force so reduces therate of piston movement as to insure the destruction of the actua'tingdifsaid chamberasaid casing hav ng a reservoir Patent, is:

ferenti'al in fluid pressures on the piston when it obtains the position in which it is desired to stop same, so that further movement of the piston will be efiectively prevented. Incaseof leakage of fluid under pressure from either power piston chamber, the resulting, oscillatory movement of the piston does not open the valve controlled liquid new communication [in'the stabilizer, so

that the stabilizer remains effective to ,oppcse and prevent anymaterial change in, theselected into the pressure chambers which might materially interferewith or even destroy its stabilizing action.

,I-Iavin new described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters 1. ,A-stabilizing,devicecoinprising in combination, a casing, two liquid, filled chambers in said ocasill pmovable abutment means insaid casing opposinglysubjectto liquid in said chambers, aconstantly open, restricted passage connecting disposed above said chambersadapted to be filled with liquid, a plug valve insaid casing having its r opposite ends disposed for submersion in the ,liquid in said reservoir. saidvalve havinga neu- =tral position and being movable in either direction therefrom, saidcasing having separate passages cennectillg each, ofsaid chambers to said placing liquid therefrom to the other chamber with said valve out of neutral position, the said valve when out of neutral position being adapted to open communication between said reservoir and the one of said chambers adapted to receive liquid from the other chamber and to close communicatlon between the last named chamber and said reservoir, said valve when in its neutral position closing communication between said reservoir and both of said chambers, andmeans 15 arranged to move said valve to its different; positions.

2. A stabilizing device comprising in combination a casing having two piston bores, a wall separating said bores, a piston mounted to slide in each of said bores, a rod connecting the pistons together for movement in unison and extending through said wall, the chamber between each piston and said wall being adapted to be filled with liquid, a restricted passage connecting said chambers, a liquid reservoir in said casing disposed over said chambers and adapted to be filled with liquid, a valve in said casing disposed below the liquid level in said reservoir, means connected'to said valve operative to turn same in either direction from a neutral position, said casing having a passage connecting each of said chambers to said valve and said valve having means operable when out of neutral position to .connect the two passages-together to provide for displacement of liquid from one of said chambers to the other upon movement of either piston against the liquid in the respective chamber, said valve in neutral position closing the communication between said passages, means associated With said valve operable when out of neutral position to establish communication between said reservoir and the one of said chambers which is adapted to receive liquid from the other chamer and to close communication between said reservoirand the said other chamber, said valve in its neutral position closing communication between said reservoir and both of said chambers, and means connected to said pistons operable to urgeeither against the liquid in the respective one of said chambers.

3. A stabilizing device comprising in combination a casing having two piston bores, a wall separating said bores, a piston mounted to slide in each of said bores, a rod connecting the pistons together for movement in unison and extending through said wall, the chamber between each piston and said wall being adapted to be filled with liquid, a restricted passage connecting said chambers, a liquid reservoir in said casing dis posed over said chambers and adapted to be filled with liquid, a valve in said casing disposed below the liquid'level in said reservoir, means connected to said valve operative to turn same in either direction from a neutral position, said casing having a passage connecting each of said chambers to said valve and said valve having means operable when out of neutral position to connect the two passages together to provide for displacement of liquid from one of said chambers to the other upon movement of either piston against the liquid in the respective chamber, said valve in neutral position closing the communication between said passages, means associated with said valve operable when out of neutral position to establish communication between said reservoir and the one of said chambers which is adapted to receive liquid from the other chamber and to close communication between said reservoir and the said other chamber, said valve in its neutral position closing communication between said reservoir and both of said chambers, means connected to said pistons operable to urge either against the liquid in' the respective one of said chambers, each of said pistons comprising a piston head, a flexible packing cup secured to the face of said piston head adjacent the'respective chamber and having-an annular cylindrical-like portion engaging the wall of the respective chamber and so arranged as to prevent leakage of liquid therefrom past the piston, each piston hav ing an annular groove, and a sealing ring in said groove in each piston having sliding and sealing contact with the wall of the respective bore.

4. A stabilizing structure comprising movable abutment means opposingly subject to liquid in two liquid filled chambers, means operable to move, said abutment means against the liquid in either one of said chambers, a constantly open restricted passage connecting said chambers for permitting flow of liquid from either one of said chambers to the other, a valve having a neutral position, a second position at one side of neutral position and a third position at the opposite side of neutral position, said valve establishing a communication between said chambers in said second and third positions to permit flow of liquid out of either one of said chambers into the other chamber, said valve closing said communication in said neutral position, a reservoir adapted to carry liquid, said valve in said second position establishing a liquid flow communication from said reservoir to-one of said chambers and in said third position establishing a liquid flow communication from said reservoir to the other one of said chambers and being operable upon establishing either one of said liquid flow communications to close the other liquid flow communication, and means for moving said valve to its difierent positions.

- ARTHUR. G. LARSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Stronach Jan. 19, 1937 

